Navigo’s inpatient wards for older people with mental health needs have been rated Outstanding by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an inspection in November.
The service provides specialist inpatient treatment and supports people to move safely into more appropriate care settings or return home. Care is delivered across three units: Konar Suite and the Janine Smith Suite at the Princess Diana of Wales Hospital, and the Jane Lewington Suite at Tees House.
The CQC carried out the inspection as part of its ongoing monitoring of services. The wards have now been rated:
- Outstanding for Caring, Responsive and Well-led
- Good for Safe and Effective
The glowing report is the second Outstanding rating achieved by Navigo’s older people’s mental health wards, having also been awarded the rating after the last inspection in 2018.
Inspectors highlighted several areas of exceptional practice:
- Staff demonstrated outstanding compassion and kindness, understood people’s individual needs and supported them in ways that helped them feel safe and reassured.
- Families felt their loved ones were supported to maintain independence and express their wishes about care and treatment.
- Staff were highly skilled in deescalation and supporting people in distress, reflected in very low use of restraint and rapid tranquilisation.
- Ward environments promoted privacy, dignity and therapeutic care, with carers speaking extremely positively about the facilities.
- People were supported to take part in a wide range of activities, including cinema sessions, a beauty parlour, gym access and large communal events.
- Leaders had the skills, knowledge and experience to perform their roles to a high standard and inspired their staff. They also demonstrated an excellent understanding of the services they managed.
- Leaders created a culture which drove and improved high-quality, person-centred care.
- A strong safety culture was evident, with openness, honesty and clear learning from incidents to keep people safe.
Overall, Navigo services remain rated as Good, having last been inspected in August and September 2019.
The full report will be published on the CQC website in the coming days.